Success and happiness — the ‘why’ and the ‘how’ of your journey
Note: This is the first post in a series called, “Five Lessons” for students in my personal branding class at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri. Join the conversation with the hashtag, #PBandJterm.
Congratulations! You’re in college. You may be a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior — no matter where you are on your path — you’re here. And it’s a good thing too. I’ve been waiting for you. I have a few questions you might need to answer before you move forward on your journey. We’ll get to those later…
For ten years now, I’ve encountered students like you on a mission. You’re going somewhere. You’re going to be somebody. Maybe you’re already a big deal on Vine or Snapchat. Maybe you are simply doing what your parents expect of you. Maybe you’re the first of your family in college. Either way, when I ask students like yourselves what you hope to gain out of this academic experience, the answers are usually similar:
“Success and happiness.”
Who can blame you? Anyone who says they aren’t chasing either is probably not being truthful. That, or they’re Zen monks who’ve eschewed such notions as we’ve defined them in the Western world. After all, they have their own answers.
Success.
Let’s address this one first. The all-knowing Google defines success this way, “the accomplishment of an aim or purpose.”
Well, in that case, it’s settled. Phew!
Oh, wait. Not quite. There’s that whole “aim or purpose” part. Rats.
Question one: What is your definition of success? What is the ‘aim or purpose’ of your pursuit?
Question two: Did someone else define success for you? If so, what does YOUR true definition look like?
Know this — it’s okay if your definition is different.
Happiness.
Now that we’ve covered Success. Let’s visit its close relative, Happiness.
Checking in with the sage, Google, again, we find a longer definition for this word:
“Happiness is a mental or emotional state of well-being defined by positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy. A variety of biological, psychological, religious and philosophical approaches have striven to define happiness and identify its sources.”
((Cue the Kid Cudi and/or Pharell))
Allow the answer to this question to unfold for you: Which comes first? Success or happiness?
Traditionally, we’ve been inclined to believe, IF we’re successful — THEN — we’ll be happy. But, happiness researcher Shawn Achor turns that notion on its head in his viral TED Talk, embedded for you below.
Your Journey
One of the most rewarding facets of my career as a college professor is watching students’ journeys unfold. As fate would have it, you’re in this class at this point in time. (Or, maybe you’re not in my class and you happened upon this post at this time.) You and I may know know why yet. We may never. And we don’t have to. That’s the beauty of this whole experience. The unfolding of it all.
Hopefully, after reading this “lesson” — you’ll view success and happiness a little differently. If so, I’ve accomplished my mission for today. Now, it’s time for you to accomplish yours.
In the response section below, share your definition of success and whether or not you agree with Achor’s theory about happiness.
OMG. Why is my professor making me do this in a personal branding class?
Answer: When you find clarity about your definitions of success and happiness, you can influence how you arrive at your destination.
Know where you’re headed.
Know why you’re headed where you’re headed.
Then, how you’re headed where you’re headed is up to you.
For links to our other lessons, see below. As part of class assignments, students reflected on the ideas presented. You can read their discussions in the responses section of each lesson.
Lesson #1: Success and happiness — the ‘why’ and the ‘how’ of your journey
Lesson #2: Where did the box go?
Lesson #3: Hustle. Connect. Share. Repeat. — A Four-Step Formula for Achieving Your Goals
